Home Buying Articles & Advice

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The articles are set up to be a tutorial, taking you step by step through the home buying process.

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Don't Buy a Car - or Did You Already Buy One?

   When Income Grows and You Want to Buy "Stuff"

   Debt-to-Income Ratios and Car Payments

   How Buying a Car Reduces Your Purchase Price

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Things Not To Do Before Buying a Home

   No Major Purchases of Any Kind

   Don't Move Money Around

   Should You Change Jobs?

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Reasons to Delay Buying a Home
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Why Buying a Home is a Good Idea
   The Best Investment
   Income Tax Savings
   Stable Monthly Housing Costs
   Forced Savings
   Freedom and Individuality
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The Business Cycle and Buying a Home
   Recession and Expansion
   Supply and Demand
   Should You Try to "Time the Market"?
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What's More important -  Buying a House?  Or a Home?
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Why Search for A Realtor?
   Finding an Agent by "Accident"
   Listing Agents vs. Selling (Buyer's) Agents 
   Should You Call the Listing Agent?
   Agent's Advertising - Is the Purpose What You Think?
   Finding Your Own Realtor
   Some Basics About the Search
   How to Conduct the Search
   Interviewing A Good Realtor
   When the Agent Asks You for an Appointment
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Looking Ahead - Buyer's Remorse
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Buying a Home With Resale Value - Location
   Location, Location, Location?
   Location - Local Community, Town or City
   Location - the Local Neighborhood
   Location - the Residential Neighborhood
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Buying a Home With Resale Value - the House
   A Home With a View?
   Lot Choice and Landscaping
   House Size
   Bedrooms & Bathrooms
   Closets, Garage & Laundry
   Kitchen
   Fireplaces
   Swimming Pool?
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Comparable Sales and Your Offer Price
   Determining Your Offer Price
   Comparable Sales in the Public Record
   Comparable Sales in the Multiple Listing Service
   Comparable Sales - Pending Transactions
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Factors Affecting Your Offer Price
   How Property Condition Affects Your Offer
   How Home Improvements Affect Your Offer  
   How Market Conditions Affect Your Offer
   How Seller Motivation Affects Your Offer
   The Final Decision on Your Offer Price
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Offering to Purchase Real Estate- the Basics
   Introduction and Overview
   Contingencies in a Purchase Offer
   Earnest Money Deposit
   The Closing Date
   Transfer of Possession
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Writing an Offer - Safeguards Regarding the Property
   Disclosures From the Seller
   Condition of the Property Upon Transfer
   Inspections You May Require
   Final Walk-Through Inspection
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How Financing Details Affect Your Offer
   Down Payment
   Interest Rate
   Closing Costs and Financing Incentives
   Seller Financing
   Cash Offers
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How FHA and VA Financing Affects Your Offer
   Extra Costs for the Seller
   More Detailed (and expensive) Appraisals
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You and the Seller Must Agree on Some Services
   Settlement and Escrow
   Title Insurance Companies
   Termite and Pest Inspections
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Buyer's Remorse- Did You Make a Huge Mistake?
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Michael Pascarella
Sarah Traynor
50 Sewall Street
Portland ME 04102

Equal Housing Opportunity

Office: 207-553-2412

Mobile: 207-846-5110

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